blackman



w. 1. BLACKMAN. Car Coupling;

Patnted Feb.'23, 1869.

771 asses In we Z- N. PETERS. Fllclu-Lilhngmpher. Waalunglcm D. C.

W. J. BLACKMAN, .QF COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI. Letters Patent No. 87,135, dated February 23, 1869.

IMPROVED CAR-COUPLING.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that LW. J. BLAOKMAN, of Columbus, in the county of Lowndes, and State of Mississippi, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Car- Ooupling; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the" same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this SPGOl fiOBJClODr This invention relates to improvements in car-coupling, by which it is designed to provide an arrangement by which the several cars of a train may be uncoupled by the engineer, while at his post on the engine, by means of hand-levers and suitable connections, or by the brakemen on the several cars, by a bot-pressing apparatus; and also certain improvements in the coupling-apparatus.

Figure 1 represents a plan view of my improved apparatus as applied to the platforms of the cars;

Figure 2 represents a section on the line :0 a: of fig. 1;

Figure 3 represents a section on the line 3 y, fig. I;

Figure 4 represents an elevation of the coupling-bolt; and

Figure 5 represents a detail view of the couplings for the chains between the engine and the uncoupling-apparatus of the rear cars.

Similar letters of reference indicatecorresponding parts.

A represents a double-headed coupling bolt, having a'central universal joint of ordinary construction, to which I have applied the four springs shown at B, for holding either section of the bolt in the right position for entering the bell-mouthed draw-head 0 when the .one section is coupled with another draw-head.

I propose to so arrange the coupling-bolts and the draw-heads that there will be no lost motion between the latter, and consequently none between the cars, ex cept what may be allowed by the bufi'er-springs D, against which the draw-heads are free to move.

The draw-heads are provided with the spring-jaws E, having a circular opening between .thcm, into which the pointed ends of the coupli 'lg-bolts are forced, in coupling the cars together, separating said jaws sufiiciently to allow the head to pass through and become locked behind the said jaws, which are forced together by the springs F, which may be of any preferred kiud- To provide for uncoupling the cars from the engine, the jaws E are provided with the inclined arms G, embracing the angular cross-piece H, of a sliding frame, I, arrangedto slide in ways transversely of the plattorm ot' the car, and connected at its end, opposite the aws, with the short arm of a vibrating l'iand-lever, K, on

the tender, bya chain L, working over suit-able guide pulleys. i

By moving the lever in the right direction, the angular bar H is drawn outward between'the bent arms G,

spreading them suificiently to disengage the couplingbolt head from the circular opening between the said jaws.

To prevent the slide from being inadvertently thrown out, and separating the holding-jaws, and to throw it back after it has been moved for uncoupling, the slide is provided with the coiled springs M, which constantly bear it inward.

Each car is provided with the above-described uncoupling-apparatus at each end, and in order to provide for uncoupling either carfi'om the engine or tender, the apparatus of each car must be connected with a separate uncoupling-lever, on the tender or engine, by cords or chains N, and provision must be made for uncoupling these connections also when the cars are uncoupled. To this end, the sleeves O are arranged in the end framings of the cars, to slide in the direction of the length of the same, and make the coupling-links of the cords or chains N. They pass through slots in the side-rails of the sliding frames I, and are provided with spring-catches P, for the connecting-bolts Q, of the chains N.

The said catches project from one side of the said tubes, in a manner to permit them to be pressed inward, for disengaging the coupling-bolts Q by crossbars It, of the sliding frame, when it is moved to open; the jaws E E for uncoupling the cars.

The cars next the tenders will be provided with as many chains l" and uncouplbig-mechanisms as there are cars in the train behind it, less one, and if all the cars are ,to be detached from the tender, the same may be accomplished, together with the. uncoupling of the connecting-chains N, by the movement ofthe lever connected with the slide I at the rear of the tender, and in like manner the train may be separated at any other point, by moving the lever connected with the apparatus of the car from which it is designed to detach the others, the connecting-chain N, of the said slide, working freely through the tubes 0, of the cars, in advance, without disturbing their connections. v

The said tubes are also bell-mouthed, but the connection of the chains is established by hand, and may be done by persons on the platforms after the train is set in motion.

The tubes 0 are also provided with springs, to prevent the chains being accidentally disconnected, and to restore the tubes to their normal positions after they have been moved for uncouplin S represents a bolt passing through the frame vertically, and connected to a bent arm, T, pivoted on a rock-shaft, and so connected to the slide, that the latter may be moved, for uncoupling, by the pressure of the foot upon the upper end of the said bolt S, which is provided with an enlarged end for the purpose.

U represents a spring for throwing the bolt S up again.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim as new, and desire to secure by .Patent- 1. The combination with the coupling-bolt A, of the springs B, when arranged substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. The combination of the draw-head O, of the springjaws E, and slide I, arranged to be operated for 1111 coupling, by a hand-lever, K, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. The combination, sleeves 0, having the spring-catches as and for the purpose specified.

Letters with the slide 1, of the coupling- P, substantially 4. The method of uncoupling the cars and connecv ing-chains N simultaneously, by means of the slidesI, arranged to operate the jaws E and spring-catches P, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

5. The combination, with the slide I and jaws E, of the oscillating lever T and foot-presser S, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

\V. J. BLAOKMAN.

Witnesses:

GRAY A. CHANDLER, OSCAR T. KEELER.

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